Close to 1000 runners braved North Pole like temperatures to raise money for the Salvation Army in the organization’s annual Santa Shuffle run in Eau Claire on Saturday morning December 7, 2013.Gavin Young
/ Calgary Herald

The scene on Stephen Avenue on an extremely cold day in Calgary. Despite the chill, the record low for Calgary was not bestedStuart Gradon
/ Calgary Herald

The view from Calgary's Peace Bridge in the minus -30C temperatures in Calgary on December 6, 2013Leah Hennel
/ Calgary Herald

Julieta Filomena doesn't let a let a little cold weather bother her from running to work in Calgary on December 5, 2013Leah Hennel
/ Calgary Herald

Balwinder Rai clears a path through where a snow plow has piled up snow along Martindale Drive in northeast Calgary on Thursday December 5, 2013.Gavin Young
/ Calgary Herald

A snow plow cleans up along 80th Avenue in the Saddleridge area of northeast Calgary on Thursday December 5, 2013.Gavin Young
/ Calgary Herald

Though many streets have been cleared since Monday's blizzard, some neighbourhoods are still dealing with the impacts of enormous snow drifts. According to the City of Calgar's transportation departments, cars will be towed for free from a few northeast neighbourhoods to help with continued snow clearing.

On Monday The City will be towing cars for free from streets in Taradale, Skyview, and Saddleridge. This will help us clear roads faster.

Environment Canada climatologist David Phillips admits the freezing weather is unusual this time of year.

Typically, daytime highs in December hover around the freezing mark. “This is spectacularly different from normal,” said Phillips. To have something 25 degrees colder than what it should be is quite something.”

Few places on the planet matched Alberta’s Arctic-like weather on Friday. Irkutsk — a frosty Russian city — was a comfortable -6 degrees and even Iqaluit residents enjoyed a comparatively enviable -15 degrees.

The weather prompted the Calgary Zoo to cancel its Friday night edition of Zoolights due to “extreme cold,” while Canada Olympic Park reopened Sunday following a cold-weather closure.

Across the city, more than 25 people have been treated for frostbite and hypothermia since Monday’s snowstorm, according to EMS spokesman Adam Loria. “Within minutes, any exposed skin can start having the effects of frostbite,” said Loria, “Cover as much skin as possible and dress in layers”

By Monday, the mercury will climb to a more seasonal -4 degrees, with Environment Canada calling for a return to chillier weather later in the week.

It’s very unusual to see such dangerously frigid temperatures two weeks before winter’s official start, said Phillips. “How cruel can the weather be, from a triple whammy of snow and wind and blizzards to now a deep freeze? I think the only way to handle it is to brag about it.”

Homeless shelters have been feeling the crunch all week, first with Monday’s heavy snow and biting wind, and now with the drastic mercury dip.

The YWCA Calgary has been near capacity this season, and the Alpha House Shelter has been consistently full.

“This (weather) puts a big strain on physical resources,” added Linda McLean, executive director for Inn From the Cold. “We worry more so than ever.”

All shelters are in urgent need of both new and gently used winter clothing and gear, except for Inn From the Cold, which can only accept new donations as they don’t have commercial laundry equipment.

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